Monday Scam Brief — 24 August 2026

This week’s official picture is investment fraud, not a new Scamwatch alert. ASIC warned that generative AI is being used to build whole webs of fake endorsements around bogus trading sites, then added almost 30 unlicensed and imposter names to the Moneysmart investor alert list. In Western Australia, Consumer Protection also warned that gift-card demands from a supposed boss, agency or online partner are a scam.

Scamwatch did not publish a fresh news alert after 17 August. Older official warnings on fake purchase-callback texts and ATO / myGov impersonation remain current.

Official alerts this week

ASIC: AI deepfakes and fake “proof” around investment scams

Source: ASIC, 26-195MR

ASIC says scammers are using generative AI to create networks of deepfake videos, spoof websites, fabricated news articles and fake reviews so that a quick search appears to confirm a bogus investment. The pitch often starts as a social-media ad, moves to a fake article, then to a fake trading platform. Small “profits” may be shown to build trust before larger transfers are demanded. The money typically never comes back.

In the 2025–26 financial year ASIC removed more than 19,400 online scams, up 182 per cent on the year before, including fake investment platforms, phishing links and cryptocurrency investment sites. Reports to Scamwatch of impersonation of well-known Australians were linked to $7.4 million in losses.

A polished site, a familiar face or a licence number on a webpage is not enough. Check the person or firm on ASIC’s professional registers and make sure the name, number and website match. If they do not, do not invest.

ASIC Moneysmart investor alert list — new names this week

Source: ASIC Moneysmart investor alert list

Between 19 and 21 August 2026 ASIC added 29 names. Most are unlicensed “AI” or crypto-style trading brands on throwaway domains. Four entries impersonate real Australian businesses:

Impersonation of Retail Employees Superannuation Pty Limited (Rest Super) at restsuperannuationfund.com.au and restsuperfund.com.au
Impersonation of Goldman Financial Services Pty Ltd at goldmanncolimited.com
Impersonation of Secure Port Pty Ltd at secureport-wealth.com

Unlicensed names added this week include AssCoin AI Trade, Primedge, Globals-AI, Arbcore, Fundora, AuraMetric and a run of lookalike “AI bot” sites. Being on the list means ASIC says the operator is not licensed to offer investments in Australia. The list is not complete: a missing name is not a green light. Check the live list before you send money, and treat unexpected super, wealth or crypto offers as hostile until you have verified them yourself.

WA Consumer Protection: gift cards are for gifts, not bills

Source: Consumer Protection WA, 20 August 2026

The Commissioner for Consumer Protection warned that scammers are pushing people — including older Western Australians — to buy gift cards and hand over the serial numbers. The request may come from a romance contact, someone posing as a government agency or business, or a fake CEO emailing a new staff member. One worker lost more than $17,000 on Apple and Microsoft cards after emails that looked like they came from their company’s chief executive.

No genuine employer, business or government agency in Australia will ask you to pay a bill, tax, fee or “urgent expense” with gift cards. If a shop assistant questions a large gift-card purchase, that is a warning, not an inconvenience. Report attempts to WA ScamNet.

Still active official warnings

National Anti-Scam Centre emails after a UK crypto investigation

Source: Scamwatch / National Anti-Scam Centre, 17 August 2026

The Centre contacted more than 10,000 Australians after a United Kingdom police investigation of a group targeting cryptocurrency exchange and hardware-wallet users. If you received that email, treat it as a warning, not a request. The Centre will not ask you to send money, crypto or passwords.

Fake purchase-callback texts

Source: Scamwatch, 14 July 2026

A message claims you bought something you did not buy and tells you to call a number to cancel. The number is the scammer. Hang up and check any real purchase through the store’s official app or website.

ATO and myGov impersonation

Source: Scamwatch and the ATO, 26 June 2026

Emails, texts and calls pretending to be from the ATO or myGov are still circulating. The ATO will not demand urgent payment by gift card, crypto or a transfer to a “safe account”. Sign in only through ato.gov.au or my.gov.au that you typed yourself. The ATO’s own scam alerts page still features a July 2026 fake appointment-email warning.

What to do

Stop. Unexpected messages that rush you to pay, call, buy gift cards or share codes are a warning sign. Pause.
Check. Use a phone number or website you already know, not the one in the message. For investments, check ASIC’s registers and the investor alert list.
Protect. If money or details have gone, contact your bank first, then report it.

How to report

Scamwatch (ACCC): scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam
Report a cybercrime to police via ReportCyber: cyber.gov.au
Identity and recovery support: IDCARE on 1800 595 160

This brief is a public-interest summary of official Australian sources. It is not legal, financial or tax advice. Always rely on the original agency page linked above.